India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur and opener Smriti Mandhana played pivotal roles in securing a convincing victory against Sri Lanka, each scoring half-centuries in the group stage match. The Women in Blue set a tournament-high score of 172-3 in their 20 overs, while Sri Lanka was bowled out for 90 runs off the penultimate ball.
In a standout performance, Indian fast bowler Arundhati Reddy and leg-spinner Asha Sobhana each claimed three wickets for just 19 runs in their four overs.
With this win, India now boasts two victories in three matches, setting the stage for a crucial final group match against six-time champions Australia on Sunday.
Sri Lanka, coming off a 31-run loss to Pakistan and a quick defeat by Australia, will pose a challenge for India. Despite their recent struggles, they have formidable players like captain Chamari Athapaththu, Harshitha Samarawickrama, and all-rounder Kavisha Dilhari, who will be eager to make their mark and potentially cause an upset.
Concerns remain over the form of some Indian batters, with Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh struggling in previous matches, and Shafali Verma not displaying her usual explosive style. Harmanpreet Kaur also left the field due to an injury sustained during the match against Pakistan. However, the bowling performance from players like Arundhati Reddy and Shreyanka Patil has been a positive note, with Reddy taking three wickets against Pakistan and Patil contributing as well.
Jemimah Rodrigues was promoted to number three in the batting order and formed a solid partnership with Shafali Verma, ensuring a win was secured. Nevertheless, India won by only seven wickets while chasing a target of 106, which was viewed as a missed opportunity to improve their Net Run Rate (NRR) after suffering a 58-run defeat to New Zealand earlier.
As India heads into their final match, they will need a significant victory to improve their standing in the tournament. The outcome against Australia will also be pivotal, as a loss could lead to elimination. Facing a Sri Lankan team eager to redeem themselves after a previous high-profile victory over India this year, the Indian team must be cautious of the challenges ahead, especially in conditions that have proven difficult for scoring runs. With many teams struggling to maintain a high scoring rate in Dubai, India will need to adopt an aggressive approach in their next match.
